The goal by Zhou Yi completely ended any suspense in the match. Although there were still more than ten minutes left, possibly more than fifteen including injury time, anyone who had watched the previous minutes of the game wouldn't think the South Korean team had any chance of leveling the score.

It was already difficult to tie the score, let alone reverse the situation and win.

In this match, the Chinese team firmly controlled the ball, fully demonstrating their outstanding ball control ability.

Under Zhou Yi's leadership, the Chinese team was able to lead the South Korean players by the nose.

In addition, the South Korean team was short one player, and their physical fitness was also a major issue.

Now, Blazevic could confidently substitute Zhou Yi, partly to give him more rest time, and partly to avoid any possible injuries. Who knew if the South Korean players, trailing by two goals, would resort to desperate measures?

For safety's sake, it was normal to take Zhou Yi off.

Moreover, the Chinese team was now leading by two goals, so even if there was an accident at the end, and the South Korean team scored a goal, they would still be leading by one goal. Besides, was Sun Pan a pushover? Even if the South Korean team besieged the Chinese goal, it wouldn't be easy for them to score.

And so, the fourth official raised the substitution board at the side of the field, and Zhou Yi came off.

As Zhou Yi left the field, the Chinese fans in the stands all stood up and cheered for him.

Amidst the cheers, Zhou Yi slowly walked towards the sideline.

He seemed a little tired.

This speed caused dissatisfaction among some South Korean players, who believed that Zhou Yi was deliberately wasting time.

The referee, Roldán, ran over to signal Zhou Yi to leave the field quickly. Zhou Yi stopped directly, turned around, and communicated with the referee in English, explaining that he was very tired, couldn't run, and could only walk. He was out of breath as he spoke, and a simple sentence took twice as long as usual. As he spoke, his body slumped down, with his hands on his knees, as if he would fall to the ground without support...

"...I'm not deliberately wasting time, but if you don't allow me, exhausted, to walk off the field, sir, please call me a stretcher," Zhou Yi said, panting.

Seeing Zhou Yi stop to talk to the referee, the South Korean players were extremely anxious—they protested to the referee, hoping Zhou Yi would leave the field faster, but now Zhou Yi was lingering on the field!

They wished they could carry Zhou Yi off the field themselves... If the referee really agreed to Zhou Yi's request and sent a stretcher, they would be willing to be the stretcher-bearers...

Seeing Zhou Yi sweating profusely, and having to hold his knees and slump over just to speak, the referee Roldán was helpless. Of course, he could show Zhou Yi a yellow card for deliberately wasting time, but that would probably allow the Chinese team to take advantage of the situation and waste even more time... And such a penalty would also cause him more controversy after the match. His rulings in this match were already very controversial...

He wasn't the South Koreans' father, so there was no need for him to go to such lengths for them.

Thinking of this, he simply waved his hand, signaling Zhou Yi to leave quickly. As for whether Zhou Yi walked off, ran off, or was carried off on a stretcher... he didn't care.

Having obtained the referee's permission, Zhou Yi then got up and slowly walked off the field.

He didn't deliberately walk slower, but maintained the same speed as before. In fact, if the South Korean players hadn't protested, Zhou Yi would have left long ago. As a result of this commotion, the game time was reduced by another minute...

Finally, Zhou Yi raised his hand and applauded at the sideline, thanking the fans in the stands, and hugging his teammates, completing the substitution process.

No matter how anxious the South Korean team was, they could only watch at this time.

The South Korean commentator angrily denounced Zhou Yi for delaying the game time in a way that lacked sportsmanship, saying that this would damage his reputation and image.

"The Chinese team, leading by two goals, doesn't need to use such methods to ensure their victory. Zhou Yi, as a first-class player, seems petty doing this!"

At this time, there were also many South Korean netizens on the South Korean internet cursing Zhou Yi and China, similar to how Chinese netizens had cursed South Korea for the penalty decision.

This kind of hatred between the two sides was all-encompassing, and from some perspectives, even surpassed the hatred between China and Japan...

This was also an interesting phenomenon.

Of course, those involved didn't find it interesting.

For example, if the Chinese players heard the South Korean commentator's remarks, they would probably curse his entire family...

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After Zhou Yi left the field, it should have been a perfect opportunity for the South Korean team to counterattack.

But now they had to face Sun Pan's impregnable defense.

The match turned into Sun Pan's favorite "goalkeeper moment."

Of course, this was also related to the outstanding performance of Guo Nu, Yang Muge, and others, which made it difficult for the South Korean team to enter the penalty area and forced them to choose long-range shots from outside the penalty area.

In the last few minutes of the match, the score remained 3:1, with the Chinese team leading. He Ping's attention was clearly no longer on the match itself, but began to talk about the significance of this victory for Chinese football.

"...After defeating the South Korean team, the Chinese team will become the top four in this London Olympic Games men's football competition. Although this Olympic team has been making history in every game after defeating the Olympic team in the first group match, the achievements they have created are still very dazzling! Reaching the top four is not only the best result for the Chinese men's football team in the Olympic Games, but also the best result for the Chinese men's football team in world competitions!"

The national team's best result in the Asian Cup was runner-up, but the Asian Cup was a continental competition, while the Olympic Games was a world-class competition, giving people a different feeling. The Olympic Games was a competition with the whole world.

"Now, if the Olympic team can win one more game, they will win a medal in advance, regardless of whether the medal is gold or silver. This is a great breakthrough for Chinese men's football, because it will be the first medal for Chinese men's football in the Olympic Games! But this is not easy, because according to the match rules, their opponent in the semi-finals will be the winner between Honduras and Brazil. The Brazilian Olympic team is the biggest favorite to win this Olympic Games, the strongest team. It shouldn't be a problem for them to defeat Honduras, which means that China's opponent in the semi-finals will be Brazil... Nevertheless, I think the top four is already a great breakthrough for Chinese men's football. I think the boys shouldn't think too much at this time, relax and enjoy the game!"

In He Ping's view, defeating Brazil in the semi-finals was not impossible, but the chances were not high. If they emphasized medals, it would put great pressure on the team. He hoped to use his meager power to guide public opinion, so that everyone would not think too much, not think about the finals or medals, and create a relaxed environment for the Olympic team.

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When the final whistle was finally blown, the Chinese team's substitutes and coaches, who had been waiting on the sidelines, swarmed onto the field, celebrating the victory with the Olympic team players on the field.

They created a brand new history. Before leaving for London, the domestic media set the goal for them to reach the knockout stage as a victory. When Zhou Yi said that the goal was a gold medal, many people thought that Zhou Yi was self-motivating and it was impossible.

But now, they not only entered the knockout stage, but also reached the top four! And they defeated South Korea, the arch-rival of Chinese football!

This was truly a victory that boosted morale.

Everyone involved was extremely excited.

When they were excited, some things could be said.

In the post-match mixed zone, Sun Pan was stopped by reporters for an interview.

Because of the two penalty shootouts with Ji Dong-won in the game, and the conflict, he also became a focus. Everyone wanted to know the inside story of his confrontation with Ji Dong-won.

Were there any disputes about the two penalties, what did he say to Ji Dong-won, was he faking when he was pushed to the ground by Ji Dong-won...

The excited Sun Pan stood in front of the sponsor's sign, facing the camera lens of the broadcasting organization, and reporters from China and South Korea. Saving the penalty was the most satisfying performance for him in this game. Now that a reporter took the initiative to mention this, of course he had to boast a wave.

He opened his mouth and smiled brightly: "Regarding the penalty, regarding Ji Dong-won, I would like to recite a few lines of poetry to answer your questions..."

The Chinese reporters laughed. Sun Pan could actually recite poetry? It seemed that he was really happy after winning the ball, and he was full of poetic inspiration.

Everyone listened attentively, wanting to hear what poem Sun Pan would recite.

"Good and evil will eventually be rewarded, and the cycle of heaven is good; if you don't believe it, look up, who will the heavens spare!" Sun Pan pointed to the night sky above everyone's heads.